Ephraim, Wis. (June 9, 2026) – One of Door County’s most beloved traditions returns on Saturday, June 20 as the 61st Annual Fyr Bal Festival takes place in Ephraim, celebrating the community’s Scandinavian heritage and the arrival of the summer season. Held along Ephraim’s picturesque waterfront, the festival brings together residents and visitors for a day of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, local food and beverages, and the ceremonial bonfire that symbolizes the burning away of winter and the welcoming of warmer days ahead.
This year we are introducing the new Spot Sven activity. Sven is a gnome that will be hiding at participating Ephraim Business Council member businesses. Participants can visit the businesses to find what color hat Sven is wearing. After spotting Sven at the required number of businesses, they can stop by the Ephraim Visitor Information center to obtain a complimentary “I Spotted Sven” sticker. The activity kicks off Fyr Bal weekend and runs through September 7. Spotting Sven is a great way to get out and visit some of the amazing businesses of Ephraim.
The event starts out bright and early with a yoga class at Anderson Dock sponsored by the Northern Door YMCA and the Ephraim Yacht Club’s annual Aaron R. Moore Scholarship pancake breakfast at the Ephraim Village Hall. Just outside, the Ephraim Library will be hosting their popular used book sale.
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy a variety of fun Scandinavian-inspired activities that celebrate Ephraim’s Nordic heritage, offering interactive experiences and traditions for visitors of all ages. Paddle to get a new perspective of the festival as Viking canoe excursions depart from the Firehouse Marina. The excursions will travel along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor and paddlers must pre-register at the Ephraim Business Council tent prior to departure. Create your own flower crown in Ephraim Village Hall and wear your botanical creation to view the artisan skills of the wooden shoe carver in the Harborside Park gazebo and listen to the music of Door County Folk Alliance on the main stage. The Norwegian Ice Princess will be available for visits at the Ephraim Shores Resort lawn, so stop by to say “hei.”
The crowd-favorite Fur Bal Pet Showcase gives pets the chance to show off their unique personalities and skills. Pets and their owners will meet at the Edgewater Resort’s harborside lawn and parade down Highway 42 to the Main Stage at Ephraim Village Hall. Categories are “Best Dressed”, “Most Talented”, and one standout pet will be named the “Best in Show” and awarded with a medallion created by Gemma Lou’s Door County Furbaby Treats. Pre-registration is not required, so pets of all kinds are encouraged to strut their stuff.
Visitors can browse the Artisan and Food Market, featuring a diverse selection of local artists, makers, and food vendors. From handcrafted goods and unique gifts to delicious Door County favorites and festival treats, the market offers an opportunity to shop local and experience the creativity that makes the region special. If you’re still hungry, test your skills by participating in the Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor’s ice cream or Old Post Office Restaurant’s cherry pie eating contests. The ever-popular cake walk will take place inside Ephraim Village Hall. New Ephraim and Fyr Bal merchandise and the Old Post Office Restaurant’s cherry pie in a cup will be available at the Ephraim Business Council tent. The Ephraim Business Council and the Ephraim Historical Foundation continue their partnership this year on a throwback t-shirt that features an archival Fyr Bal design and it will be available at the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s tent.
Families can enjoy a full day of engaging activities, entertainment, and hands-on experiences throughout the festival. There will be a balloon artist, face painter, t-shirt and tote bag decorating, and make-your-own Fyr Bal medallion at various sites in Ephraim. Children’s entertainer, Randy Peterson, will perform his silly, kid-friendly songs at the Ephraim Shores Resort. The Door County Bookmobile will make its inaugural visit to Fyr Bal, providing fun and educational opportunities for readers of all ages.
Adding to the day’s excitement, the cornhole and traditional Scandinavian Kubb tournaments will challenge competitors and entertain spectators throughout the festival. The cornhole tournament will be held at the Edgewater Resort and is open to all ages. Teams must pre-register at the Ephraim Business Council Tent before the event. The Kubb tournament will be held at South Shore Pier, and teams must pre-register at www.ephraim.org.
Fyr Bal raffle tickets are currently on sale at the Ephraim Visitor Information Center and various Ephraim businesses. There are many amazing prizes from Ephraim businesses as well as a $500 grand prize. Tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10. The winners will be drawn throughout the day of the festival, but you do not need to be present to win.
After the well-loved tradition of the Scandinavian dancers’ performance, the 61st Fyr Bal Chieftain will be revealed on the Main Stage in front of Ephraim Village Hall. The Chieftain is an Ephraim resident that is honored for their service to the community of Ephraim. Ephraim residents and property or business owners can cast their votes until 5:00 pm on Friday, June 19 at the Ephraim Visitor Information Center.
The day’s festivities end with the traditional Fyr Bal bonfire lit by the new Chieftain along Ephraim’s shoreline, a ceremony symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of summer. Property owners around Eagle Harbor are encouraged to light their own bonfire to add to the celebration. Keep the celebration glowing after the bonfire lighting with the Nordic Neon Dance
Party with Zephyr Ciesar at the Eagle Harbor jetty. Glow items will be available for purchase as well. As the waterfront glows, attendees will gather to celebrate community, heritage, and the season ahead before looking skyward for a spectacular fireworks display over Eagle Harbor, providing a memorable conclusion to the 61st Annual Fyr Bal Festival.
Highway 42 will be closed in downtown Ephraim from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm on Saturday, June 20 in order to provide a safe environment for all festival attendees. The closure will begin at Moravia Street on the south side and Cedar Street on the north side. Complimentary transportation will be provided from the north parking location, 2541 S. Bay Shore Drive in Sister Bay (former Shopko parking lot) and the south parking location, Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport. Local businesses do remain open throughout Ephraim and alternate routes are provided. Fyr Bal is the perfect time to shop, dine, play, and stay in Ephraim.
For additional information regarding Ephraim and the Fyr Bal festival, please visit www.ephraim-doorcounty.com or contact the Ephraim Visitor Information Center at 920.854.4989. The Ephraim Visitor Information Center is located at 10049 Water Street (Highway 42) and is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday.
Fyr Bal 2026 Timeline
8:00am – 9:00am: Yoga at Anderson Dock – Sponsored by Northern Door YMCA
8:00am – 10:00am: Aaron R. Moore Scholarship Pancake Breakfast ($) in Ephraim Village Hall – Sponsored by Ephraim Yacht Club
8:30am – 10:30pm: Transportation from Remote Parking Locations (North: 2541 S. Bay Shore Dr. – Former Shopko Parking Lot – Sister Bay and South: Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport)
8:30am – 2:00pm: Used Book Sale at Ephraim Library
9:00am: Fur Bal Pet Showcase – Meet at the Edgewater Resort Lawn at 8:30am and parade down to Village Hall. Showcase will be on Main Stage in Front of Ephraim Village Hall – Best Dressed, Most Talented, Best in Show
9:00am – 8:00pm: Ephraim Merchandise & Raffle Ticket Sales & Cherry Pie in a Cup – Sponsored by The Old Post Office Restaurant at Ephraim Business Council Tent
10:00am – 9:00pm: Artisan Market and Food Vendors
10:00am – 4:00pm: Open Door Bird Sanctuary at Harborside Park – Sponsored by Pioneer Acres Cottages
10:00am: Wilson’s Ice Cream Eating Contest ($) – Sponsored by & Located outside Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
10:00am – 5:00pm: Wooden Shoe Carving Demonstrations at Harborside Park Gazebo – Sponsored by High Point Inn
10:00am – 10:00pm: NDCC’s Tour de Putter ($) at The Red Putter – Play mini golf to benefit the Northern Door Children’s Center
11:00am – 6:00pm: Viking Canoe Excursions ($) Meet at Firehouse Marina Dock for a guided paddle along Eagle Harbor – Register at the Ephraim Business Council Tent (Weather Dependent)
11:30am: Cake Walk ($) in Ephraim Village Hall
11:30am – 12:30pm: Music by Door County Folk Alliance on Main Stage in Front of Ephraim Village Hall – Sponsored by Ephraim Historical Foundation
11:30am -1:30pm: Make Your Own Medallion ($) in Ephraim Village Hall – Sponsored by Hardy Gallery
12:00pm – 2:00pm: Make Your Own Flower Crown ($) in Ephraim Village Hall – Sponsored by Lodgings at
Pioneer Lane
12:00pm – 2:00pm: Norwegian Ice Princess at Ephraim Shores Resort Lawn – Sponsored by The Ephraim House
12:00pm – 3:00pm: Children’s T-Shirt & Tote Bag Decorating ($) at Ephraim Shores Resort Lawn
12:00pm – 3:00pm: Door County Bookmobile at Ephraim Shores Resort Lawn
12:00pm – 3:00pm: Kubb Tournament ($) at South Shore Pier – Sponsored by Ephraim Historical Foundation – Pre-register at www.ephraim.org
1:00pm – 2:00pm: Children’s Musician Randy Peterson – Sponsored by & Located at Ephraim Shores Resort
1:00pm – 3:00pm: Balloon Animals & Face Painting ($) at Ephraim Shores Resort Lawn – Sponsored by Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
3:00pm: ‘Colin & Friends’ Concert “Songs of the New World” A fun musical celebration recalling the early European Door County settlers, with anecdotes, tall tales, and great music at Ephraim Moravian Church
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Cherry Pie Eating Contest on Main Stage in Front of Village Hall – Sponsored by The Old Post Office Restaurant – Register at Ephraim Business Council tent
4:00pm – 7:00pm: Cornhole Tournament ($) Sponsored by & Located at the Edgewater Resort – Register at EBC tent
5:00pm – 8:00pm: Music by Zephyr Ciesar on Jetty Across from Village Hall – Sponsored by High Point Inn
8:00pm: Grand Prize Raffle Drawing and Award Recognition on Main Stage in Front of Ephraim Village Hall
8:15pm: Scandinavian Dancers and Singers on Main Stage in Front of Ephraim Village Hall
8:30pm: 61st Annual Chieftain Ceremony and Bonfire Lighting – Medallion by John Balistreri of Balistreri Fine Art
8:45pm-9:30pm: Nordic Neon Dance Party with Zephyr Ciesar on Jetty Across from Village Hall – Glow Items for Sale Near Village Hall
9:30pm: Fireworks over Eagle Harbor Sponsored by the Ephraim Business Council and Community & Business Members
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